Kepel is the name of a tree and fruit that has the scientific name Stelechocarpus burahol. Fruit-producing plants that became a favorite of the princesses of Javanese kingdom since ancient times is now including one of the rare plants in Indonesia. Kepel tree which is believed to have adhiluhung philosophy value is the flora of the identity of the province of Jogjakarta.
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Kepel tree ( Stelechocarpus burahol ) in some areas in Indonesia is also known as fruit and tree of kecindul, cindul, simpol, burahol, and turalak. In English this rare plant is interrupted as Kepel Aple .
Kepel tree became the favorite of the palace princess in Java besides because having philosophy value as symbol of unity and physical and physical integrity, kepel fruit also believed to have various efficacy in the field of beauty. Kepel fruit has become deodorant (deodorizing body) for the princess palace. Unfortunately precisely because that the common people do not dare to plant this tree so it becomes rare.
Kepel Characteristics.
The Kepel tree ( Stelechocarpus burahol ) has a height of up to 25 m with a stem diameter of 40 cm. On the stem bark there are bumps. These lumps are a former flower and fruit place because the flowers and fruit of the kepel indeed appear on the tree trunks rather than the shoots or branches.
Single Kepel leaves, tapering elongated with a length between 12 27 cm and width 5 9 cm. Colors of dark green Kepel leaf. Flowers are singular, fragrant. Male flowers are found on the upper trunk or an old branch is clustered between 8 to 16. While the female flowers are only found on the lower stem.
Kepel fruit grows to meet the trunk of the tree. Fruit shape oval round kepel with the base of the base is slightly tapered. Kepel fruit color ( Stelechocarpus burahol ) brown a bit grayish, and when it is old will turn into dark brown. The flesh color is slightly yellowish until brown wrap the seeds are large enough. Sense of sweet Kepel fruit.
Kepel trees can grow in habitats in the form of secondary forest located in the lowlands to a height of 600 mdpl.
Kepel tree ( Stelechocarpus burahol ) became one of the rare trees. Scarcity of this plant is more caused by the assumption of this tree as a palace tree that is only worth planting in the palace. The common people, especially the Javanese people will be afraid to get a lucky (kuwalat) if planting this tree.
In addition, some people also feel this fruit is lazy to cultivate it. Although it has a sweet taste but most of the contents of fruit filled with seeds that reduce the interest of people to cultivate it.
Kepel's Philosophy and Benefits
Kepel Fruit ( Stelechocarpus burahol ) whose fruit is the size of an adult's fist has a philosophy as a symbol of unity and mental and physical wholeness because it is like a clenched fist.
Kepel fruit since ancient times has been used by the princess palace as a remover of body odor and perfume. It is also believed to be one of the means of contraception as female sterility (KB).
Kepel fruit is believed to have the efficacy of accelerating urine, preventing kidney inflammation. Kepel tree wood ( Stelechocarpus burahol ) can be used as industrial materials or household furniture and building materials that last more than 50 years. Kepel leaves can also be used to overcome uric acid. Kepel leaf rays can lower cholesterol levels. </a